Abstract:
A coating apparatus and method are disclosed that applies a coating to a product in a uniform and controlled manner. The coating apparatus comprises a feeding stage, an optional pre-treatment stage, at least one coating stage and a finishing stage. The coating stage(s) comprise a coating material feeder and a coating device. The coating device includes an aperture conforming to the perimeter of a substrate to be coated in a first and second dimension. As the substrate passes through the aperture, coating material is applied in a uniform and consistent layer ranging from 0.001 inches to 0.250 inches. The coating material also back fills minor surface imperfections and blemishes on the substrate to achieve a consistent finish across the whole area where coating material is applied. The coating device includes first and second shell portions. The first shell portion has a concave surface surrounding the aperture portion. The concave surface allows for coating material to collect prior to deposition upon the surface of the substrate. The second shell has a substantially flat face and a mirror aperture that aligns with the aperture of the first shell. A groove is formed along the perimeter of the aperture to collect coating material for coating the object as it passes through the apertures of both shells.
Abstract:
A system for dispensing a viscous material onto a substrate which includes a dispensing element, a viscous material reservoir and a metering device coupled between the reservoir and the dispensing element for metering a variable amount of a viscous material through the dispensing element. The dispensing element and metering device can be moved by a positioner along a predetermined pattern adjacent a surface of a substrate. A weigh scale located adjacent the substrate receives a metered amount of the viscous material and produces signals representative of a variable weight of the material dispensed during a predetermined time interval. A controller adjusts a speed of movement of the positioner along the predetermined pattern to cause the dispensing element to dispense a desired amount of material based on a calculated flow rate. Alternatively, the controller adjusts a rate of delivery of the metering device based on the calculated flow rate to cause the dispensing element to dispense the desired amount of material along the predetermined pattern. Closed loop temperature control may be provided for the dispensing element and/or the substrate to ensure a substantially constant viscosity and a substantially constant flow rate. A prime and purge station may be provided adjacent the substrate for sucking air bubbles from the dispensing element and metering device.
Abstract:
A dispensing unit for a hot melt adhesive system has a manifold centrally located within the dispensing unit to permit commonality between heated hoses of substantially the same length used to supply adhesive guns at either side of the dispensing unit. The dispensing unit also includes a manifold that is thermally isolated from the adhesive tank. The manifold has a heater that is independent of the tank heater for more precise temperature control of adhesive flowing through the manifold. A pump coupled to the manifold is located external to the tank and is heated by the manifold heater.
Abstract:
A device for transporting fluids, such as viscous adhesives and sealants. The device includes a cylinder which may be filled by a supply line and a movable piston within the cylinder for ejecting the fluid into a discharge line. The piston includes an axial fluid channel and can be moved by way of a piston rod which also includes an axial fluid channel. An inlet valve is positioned between the supply line and the cylinder and may be moved between open and closed positions for releasing or interrupting the supply the fluid from the supply line into the interior of the cylinder. The piston rod includes threading and this threading is engaged with corresponding threading on a rotatable and drivable drive element so that the piston may be moved by rotating the drive element within the cylinder.
Abstract:
The present invention provides coated fiber strand comprising at least one fiber having a residue of an aqueous forming size composition applied to at least a portion of a surface of the at least one fiber, the aqueous forming size composition comprising: (a) at least one starch; (b) at least one film-forming material; (c) at least one lubricant; and (d) a plurality of discrete particles that provide interstitial space between the at least one fiber and at least one adjacent fiber sufficient to allow wet out of the fiber strand. In one embodiment of the invention, the fibers are glass fibers, the at least one starch comprises an oleophobic starch, the at least one film-forming material comprises a N-vinyl amide polymer, the at least one lubricant comprises an ester, and the particles are dimensionally stable particles selected from polymeric organic materials, non-polymeric organic materials, polymeric inorganic materials, non-polymeric inorganic materials, composite materials and mixtures thereof. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the particles comprise hexagonal boron nitride particles and/or hollow particles formed from a copolymer of styrene and acrylic monomer. The present invention also provides a fabric incoporating the coated fabric strand and an electronic support and an electronic circuit board incorporating the fabric.
Abstract:
A coating apparatus includes a supply unit containing liquid coating material and a reservoir receiving liquid coating material dispensed from the supply unit. A coater dispenses liquid coating material onto a moving strip of material. A liquid meter unit includes a flow passage and a flow regulator associated with the flow passage. A flow rate manager cooperates with the reservoir to determine the flow rate of liquid coating material passing through the flow passage in the liquid meter unit and operates the flow regulator to regulate the flow rate of liquid coating material discharged to the coater.
Abstract:
A segmented die assembly comprising a plurality of side-by-side and separate units. Each die unit includes (a) a manifold segment having an internal gear pump, (b) a die module mounted on the manifold segment, and (c) a recirculating module mounted on the manifold segment. The manifold segments are interconnected and function to deliver process air and polymer melt to the modules. Each die module includes (a) a fiberization nozzle, and (b) a valve for controlling the flow of polymer therethrough. The gear pump of each manifold segment receives a polymer melt and delivers it either to the die module (with its valve open) or to the recirculation module (with the die module valve closed). Polymer melt flowing through the die module and is discharged as a filament or filaments onto a moving substrate or collector. On the other hand, polymer flow through the recirculation module is returned to the polymer melt hopper or reservoir for recirculation through the die assembly.
Abstract:
A process solution supplying mechanism for supplying a process solution to a wafer, comprises a source for containing the process solution, a pipe for introducing the process solution from the source to the wafer, a process solution supply driving system for supplying the process solution from the source to the wafer, and a process solution supplying/stopping mechanism for carrying out apply and stop of the process solution, wherein the pipe and the process solution supply driving system are provided separately and the process solution supplying/stopping mechanism is provided to a portion other than the pipe.
Abstract:
A machine for attaching a book cover to endsheets within an adhesive is set forth. The adhesive is applied while it is within a predetermined temperature range. The machine includes a housing, an application roller journalled within the housing, and a metering roller journalled within the housing. The metering roll is axially parallel to the application roller and nearly contacts the application roller at a nip. The region above the nip defined by the application and metering rollers, and two internal seals with the housing is an adhesive reservoir. The adhesive remains in this reservoir before it is applied by the application roller. The machine also includes a level detector which detects the level of the adhesive in the adhesive reservoir. The level detector is coupled to a controller and produces a low level signal when the level of the adhesive is below a predetermined level threshold. Once this condition occurs, a transport means for transporting the adhesive from a main reservoir to the adhesive reservoir begins operation. A temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the application roller is also included. When the temperature of the application roller is below a predetermined range, heaters attached to the application roller begin operation. As such, the machine applies a hot melt adhesive within the appropriate temperature range consistently along the entire endsheets.
Abstract:
A thermoplastic material melting and dispensing apparatus includes a hopper, a melting grid, and a lid assembly which vents the interior of the hopper in an over pressure situation. Specifically, the lid assembly may be mounted with a spring-loaded hinge mechanism and may include a spring-loaded latch mechanism which each allow the lid to move upwardly away from a gas seal in the event that the gas pressure within the hopper exceeds a predetermined amount. The apparatus further includes a gas purging system which constantly circulates a gas, such as nitrogen, within the hopper interior. This gas purging system may include a solenoid valve which opens to allow exhaustion of pressurized gas from the hopper interior and the introduction of gas from a pressurized supply. A melting grid is provided which includes an surface with grooves communicating with a central outlet. The central outlet includes a plug and filter assembly which maintains solid thermoplastic material out of the outlet and filters melted thermoplastic material flowing through the outlet. A raised sealing element is provided on the lid assembly to maintain an airtight seal, and to also maintain opposed surfaces of the lid and the lid mounting portion in spaced apart relation. An advantageous flow control block with a pressure relief is connected to the thermoplastic material outlet.